Spain's Supreme Court hits back: maximum sentences for the Koldo corruption ring

Spain's Supreme Court imposes maximum sentences in the Koldo case: a sign that the judiciary can still rein in political rot

The Incivil Chamber of Spain's Supreme Court issued a ruling on Wednesday that marks a turning point in the fight against corruption. Seven judges, unanimously, imposed the highest possible sentences on the main figures involved in the Koldo case, including José Luis Ábalos and Koldo García himself. The verdict, which caught the PSOE (Spain's Socialist Party) off guard – according to El Mundo, Koldo reacted with sheer fury, shouting "ejjj the sentence is way too haaard..." – sends a clear message: anyone who breaks the law will pay dearly.

The ruling not only punishes the corrupt, it also rewards cooperation. Those who helped expose the scheme, such as middleman Víctor de Aldama, benefit from a substantial reduction. The judges wanted to stake out their territory: only exemplary sentences will deter the political class from temptation.

But in a country where pardons flow freely, nobody trusts anything. Some already claim that the PP (the conservative People's Party), when in power, will pardon the convicted. Others see an unmitigated defeat for sanchismo, the political camp around PM Pedro Sánchez. What is certain is that the ruling comes at a critical moment for the government, with Sánchez barely holding on against the pressure from the courts. The question left hanging: will he stand his ground, or end up striking a deal with the PP for a quick pardon?

For now, the Supreme Court has laid its cards on the table. The rest is in the hands of politicians – the very same ones who today celebrate the judicial blow but who tomorrow, perhaps, will pardon it all.